Rickisan

AZPhil - Here are the additional pictures...I didnt post them before...didnt think too many people would be interested, since its kinda low end. John - Thank you very much, the fancy cursive stuff looks nice. It reminds me of doctors writing...which only the doctor can decipher...lol Rick btw -way off topic, but if anyone is interested in harleys, I managed to get a pic of my bike in the American Iron Magazine...helmet hair and all.

John, That works for me...thanks for the info. I have been given a little advice,(by a tsuba guru) and plan to save up a little more next time and shoot for something really nice, hopefully papered. Might not be top end stuff, but I like the design and have to start somewhere. So, its his name on the left? Whats the right hand say? I'd like to try and learn these things little by little. Also, can you point me in the right direction towards a book, to help read sosho script. Thanks for all your help, Rick

I have won a tsuba for really low $$$. My first one. Might be a paperweight -but thats ok, I am hard headed and it will be a good learning experience. (it cost me less than a weekend in thailand)..lol nice philosophy huh Might be real - I'm crossing my fingers! The problem for now is, the mei looks to me as if its written in "grass script". (As if I didnt have enough trouble with regular Kanji) I'm told its Eiju, (which I looked up in the links) but whats the rest of it say? Could someone reccomend a good book to buy, to decipher the "grass script". thanks, Rick

John, Thanks for the reply. I did find another example that is similar in another book, The Japanese Sword" by Kanzan Sato. It's the Kenukigata no tachi on page 132. Regards, Rick

Question - Has anyone seen or heard of a sword with a cut out, or open work groove thru the tang? I have a book called,The Yasukuni Swords by Tom Kishida, and while flipping through it today I noticed something very interesting,(hope I am not imagining it) on page 31. The top picture on the page shows Yakuwa Yasutake at an exibition. The tang on the sword in the display case looks like it has an open section cut through it. If anyone has a copy of the book, take a look when you have time, or if it turns out I am going crazy...feel free to let me know. Thank you, Rick

Dino- I am also getting into Tsuba's. Lethal Elegance, is a pretty nice book,(I like it) and soon I hope to graduate to some of the books mentioned above. Check out Tosogu.com when you have a chance...lots of good info there as well.... Regards, Rick

Brian, Thanks for the info...I will have to check out Milts stuff. I finnally have the account up and going,(opened it in 2004 but never used it) but with no score, some people wont even take a bid, or let you contact a seller. Weird... I added some cash to the Paypal account, but have never used it either, still checking into linking it to my ebay. Is using Paypal painless? Thanks, Rick

Guys, This question is a little bit "Tosogu", and a bit "Ebay"...not quite sure where to post it, but I'm sure you will let me know if I have done anything wrong. I'm getting interested in fittings...(Tsuba's at the moment) and have been looking around Ebay, and other auction sites. Have a Paypal set up and ready to go. As I am new to Nihonto...I dont want to bug you guys about everything I see...and realize I need to do some homework / research as well. I guess I am up to around 12 books now, with Lethal Elagance being the only real fitting related book. Lurking the message boards is a daily thing for me also, trying to get educated. I know most people give here give their humble opinions and advice freely, and are happy to do it. I also see peeps that only pop in when they want something, and dont try to do anything on their own. The reason I am entertaining Ebay, is because of my meager starting budget. Basically my question is for the people who purchase from Ebay. I've read many links and tips about buying there, just wondering...if the item looks ok, and the seller has 100% good feedback, do I have to worry? Or is there a way for the scammers to fix a rating to make them look legit? Very respectfully, Rick (formerly RikRookie)

Lewis, I'm very new to Nihonto, (have a 1 sword collection) and cannot help with the date. However I do think its very beautiful, where did you come up with it ? Rick